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Shichon / Zuchon

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Shichon puppies for sale under $1,000

Shichon for Sale: Real Live Sweet and Loving Teddy Bear

With the hustle of everyday lives and the necessity for dogs that cannot even be perceived as aggressive, many people seek out Toy breeds. Owners often go further because they are looking for dogs that can cope with their children or thrive in the cramped suburbs. A Shichon for sale meets several of these needs because it is small, gentle, and friendly. Blending the qualities of the Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise, the Shichon is ideal for single- or multi-pet families with children, couples with plenty of time on their hands, or singles looking for a great companion.

Shichon for Sale
Shichon for Sale

Overview of Shichon Puppies for Sale

What’s in a Name?

The Shih Tzu Bichon mix is a designer dog that goes by a few different names.

  • Designer Breed Registry (DBR) – Tzu Frise or Zuchon
  • American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) – Zuchon
  • International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) – Zuchon or Shichon
  • Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) – Zuchon
  • Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) – Can register any breed under any name; only need birth certificate and proof of ownership

As you can see, the most common name for the Shih Tzu Bichon Frise mix is Zuchon. However, Shichon puppies near me can go by numerous nicknames.

  • Shichon Teddy Bear
  • Rag Doll – Differentiate from Ragdoll cat
  • Shihchon
  • Bichon Tzu
  • Shichon
  • Zuchon
  • Shih-Chon
  • Tzu Frise

Background

As alluded to previously, the Shichon was originally a cross designed to capture the small size of the Shih Tzu and the pleasant friendliness of the Bichon Frise. Intentional crosses likely began in the US around the 1990s. Shih Tzus probably originated in Tibet before 1000 BC. Monks gifted several dogs to Chinese Royals who then crossed them with Pekinese and Pugs to create snub-nosed companions and watchdogs. France developed the Bichon from dogs they brought home from the Canary Islands during their sea travels in the 1300s. Ancestors of the island dogs may have come from Italian traders. The Shih Tzu gained AKC recognition in 1969 and the Bichon Frise in 1972. Shichon or Zuchon puppies for sale are hybrids and not eligible for AKC registration.

Appearance

Shichons, especially puppies, look like miniature Teddy Bears. Their snouts are shorter than a Bichon, and they have a round head with dark lively eyes and floppy ears. Many have a scruffy appearance with wispy or unruly hair around the face. Shichons have relatively long backs and short legs. Their tails curl over their hips. Some Shichon puppies for sale represent a second-generation cross to maintain the desired scruffiness and hypoallergenic coat. They represent either a cross back to a purebred Shih Tzu or Bichon Frise. Multigenerational breeding is not yet as common as it is in a few of the Doodles, Poos, and other designer dogs. Zuchons typically range from 10 to 12 inches tall at the withers and weigh nine to fifteen pounds.

Coat and Colors

The Shichon has a variable coat. It can be straight and flowing, wavy, or loosely curled. The coat is continually growing and low shedding, making the Zuchon a potentially nice hypoallergenic choice for sensitive people. Shichon puppies for sale offer multiple color choices.

  • Parti – White with brown, sable, or black markings, often limited to the face and ears
  • Brown or tan with white
  • Solid silver, chocolate, or cream

The most common colors are white with limited colored patches or brown or gray with sparse black hairs and white markings.

Temperament

Zuchons make fantastic companions that want to be always by your side. They also make excellent watchdogs without any shyness about announcing intruders or visitors. Other traits are simultaneous gentleness and boldness, intelligence, cheerfulness, sensitivity, and loyalty. Shichons fit a wide range of family settings because they get along with other dogs, children, and cats. Shichons have low predatory instincts which help them befriend felines, especially if raised with them. Your Shichon will be safest with children over the age of seven years who have learned to be extra careful around tiny dogs. You will also need to monitor your pet around larger dogs to prevent catastrophic injuries related to the size difference. Shichons make great pets for senior citizens because these dogs are so light and naturally soft and gentle.

Lifespan

A Shichon for sale is one dog that exhibits what many incorrectly refer to as “hybrid vigor.” These dogs can live from 15 to 18 years. Hybrid vigor technically applies to litter sizes and fertility rather than the vitality Shichons exhibit.

Zuchon Teddy Bear Dog

Shichon Teddy Bears fit under the designer breed standard for the Shih Tzu Bichon Frise mix. Not truly a variant, the desire is that any Zuchon Teddy Bear dog for sale has a characteristic stuffed animal appearance. Occasionally, a Teddy Bear refers specifically to dogs with abundant curls on top of their heads and their bodies, giving them a fluffy appearance. These dogs also will be preferred colors of brown with limited black and white markings and have somewhat shortened snouts. Since so many dogs fit this look, Shichon Teddy Bear is a nickname that has stuck for all Zuchons.

Care

Attention

Shichons are Velcro dogs. Like bother parent breeds, they do not do well alone. Lonely dogs become anxious and destructive, digging, chewing on themselves or the furniture, and barking or whining incessantly.

Exercise

Shichon puppies for sale do not require much exercise beyond their normal play. As adults, Shichons need about 30 to 60 minutes of daily activities which should include running or romping, leash walking, and reinforced and advanced training. For puppies, you must add socialization to prevent shyness as they mature. Interactive games like Fetch and puzzles will also exercise your Zuchon’s mind.

Training

Zuchons are eager to please but have a stubborn independent streak from the Shih Tzu. They require consistency and persistence in your training methods. They can also be sensitive, so you must avoid harsh reprimands or physical punishment. Some behaviorists rank Shichons in the top 40 percentile in canine working intelligence. This ranking would put them on par with the Samoyed, Manchester Terrier, and Newfoundland. Shichons tend to be manipulative and emotionally intelligent but can be difficult to housetrain.

Eating

Zuchons should eat about 30 to 35 calories per pound of body weight every day split into two or three meals. Even though they are small, they require protein from an excellent meat source and high-quality fats or oils. Many premium dry diets use carbohydrates in the form of grains or potatoes. Since Shichons can be susceptible to allergies, you may want to consult with your veterinarian to formulate the best plan for feeding your dog. Puppies may require as much as 50 to 75 calories per pound each day. Beware that very small individuals can suffer from chronic and intermittent low blood sugar and need more frequent feedings than average.

Grooming

You must brush your Shichon at least every other day to prevent the coat from snarling and tangling. The less curl your dog’s coat has, the more time you can go between brushings. Since Shichons have hair that is continually growing, many owners trim it periodically. Others keep it relatively short through a scissor cut or by shaving with a large clipper blade. Other grooming tasks include trimming the nails once a month, brushing the teeth every other day, wiping the face with a soft cloth daily, and cleaning the ears weekly. Some dogs need you to pluck the hair out of their ears every few weeks. Still, others need you or a groomer to express their anal glands every one to three months. Anal glands sit on either side of the rectum as tiny sac filled with noxious secretions. They should release when your pet defecated, but small dogs commonly have trouble emptying these glands.

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